Like all BMW lovers, it’s impossible for us to choose one aspect of BMW’s design and engineering that we love the most. One thing is for certain, however: A big part of what has made BMW the name it is today is its long history of groundbreaking engines. Here are three highlights.

M88

Many of the best BMWs have used a straight-six engine, making it something of a historic specialty for the company. The M88 is no exception. In its earliest form it powered the commercially unsuccessful but nonetheless iconic M1 supercar of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It utilized Kugelfischer high-pressure mechanical fuel injection and a dry-sump lubrication system, with its most powerful iteration offering up to 900 hp (670 kW) for group 5 race models. Perhaps most famously, the M88 would later be modified for the very first (and very legendary) M5 in 1984, which went down as the fastest production sedan of its time.

S65

Despite the important role that the straight-six has played in BMW’s history, the company has, of course, excelled in the design of V8s as well. When it came time to introduce a 4th-generation M3 in 2007, it was also time to introduce a new engine along with it. The 4.0L S65 V8 debuted to provide the E90 and E92 M3 models with 414 hp (309 kW) at 8,300 rpm, featuring a double-VANOS VVT system and 12.0:1 compression ratio. It was light, powerful, and loved by many, even being named International Engine of the Year within the 3.0/4.0L category four years in a row.

S70/2

You probably can’t get more legendary than the S70/2. Ironically, this beast of an engine wasn’t implemented in a BMW vehicle, but instead designed for the McLaren F1 in 1992, which has a history of its own as quite possibly the best sports car (or, frankly, car of any kind) ever built. The F1’s designer, Gordon Murray, hired Paul Rosche at BMW’s motorsport division to create a naturally-aspirated 6.1L V12 engine. Weighting in a 586 lbs and providing 618 hp (461 kW), the S70/2 brought the F1 to 60mph in under three seconds, hitting a top speed of 240mph. BMW ingenuity delivers again!

Power, efficiency, and elegance are all at the heart of BMW’s approach to engineering, and this demands only the best repairs and maintenance. We believe that skillful service and a great customer experience should always go hand in hand, so call (403) 768-3163 to see for yourself!

Opting for a diesel vehicle has given many people the driving experience they’re looking for. It’s not necessarily the best choice for everyone, but these days there are enough options out there to fit all kinds of drivers. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons and what BMW has to offer.

Advantages

One of the primary reasons to switch to diesel is fuel economy. Exact efficiency depends on your vehicle, but drivers often see an improvement by as much as 30% over gasoline. It can also offer an improved lifespan for your engine. The fuel is self-ignited through a compression-ignition process rather than spark plugs, which avoids electrical failure and can give you more time between servicings or repairs. If you’re looking for an enhancement in torque as well, you’ll find that diesel certainly delivers. This is due to a higher compression ratio than gasoline engines, greater density (and therefore higher energy transfer) of diesel fuel, and other factors.

Drawbacks

As for potential disadvantages, basically any diesel vehicle will carry a higher upfront price tag than the corresponding base model. A significant contributing factor to this is the cost of manufacturing, which is to be expected of anything that is a bit more heavy-duty and durable than its standard counterpart. This is due to reinforcement and other engineering considerations demanded by the high compression ratios of diesel combustion. Meanwhile, the cost of diesel fuel is often higher than that of gasoline, and depending on where you happen to be driving, it may be a bit trickier to find a gas station offering it.

Diesel BMW Models

Not all of BMW’s diesel vehicles are offered in North America, as they tend to sell more in Europe, but you can easily identify a diesel model by the lowercase “d” in the model number. A 320d, for instance, can offer you the timeless reliability and accessibility of the 3 Series with the added advantage of diesel power and efficiency. A 730d, meanwhile, is proof that the combination of diesel ruggedness and full-size luxury sedan stylishness is tough to beat. It’s even the vehicle of choice for BMW CEO Harald Krueger, so it must be good.

Whether or not your BMW runs on diesel, it will only give you its best performance if you seek out the best maintenance and repairs. If you want your vehicle taken care of by a highly experienced BMW certified technician, give the Motorwerkes team a call at (403) 768-3163 today!

Whether you’re counting on your winter tires during the iciest day of the year or you’re taking a freshly-installed set of summer tires out on a sunny road trip, they keep you stable every moment you’re on the road. If you take care of them, you’ll be saving money and staying safe!

Understand the Importance

Tires are one of many car parts we often take for granted. Until, of course, they blow out and cause an accident or leave you stuck on the side of the road. The first thing to remember is that not all tires are created equal, and paying for quality and reliability means that this is exactly what you get! Each type has its advantages and disadvantages related for the purpose they were engineered for as well. Not all tires are meant for all seasons and conditions, and no tire is indestructible. Learning proper tire care is critical if you want to keep your drive smooth, stable, and safe.

Know Your Habits

The majority of good tire care will fall in your hands as a driver and vehicle owner. This is all about establishing good habits and breaking bad ones. Check tire pressure often, but don’t over or under-inflate. Follow recommendations based on your vehicle, the tire manufacturer, and even a local technician. Look at the wear of your tread, especially after long trips. You can tell whether you’re in need of a replacement by using tire’s wear bars for reference. Always avoid excessive speeds and sudden, hard braking, and be mindful of the loads your vehicle carries.

Trust a Professional

As important as your own habits are, there are a number of services and procedures that it’s best to leave to a BMW certified technician. Checking your alignment, for instance is highly important, as it affects both your tires and the safety and stability of your drive in general. Rotating your tires can ensure that they accumulate even amounts of wear and live a long life. This can easily be part of other routine maintenance, such as an oil servicing. As a Calgary BMW expert to find out what your tires might need!

Don’t forget that keeping your winter tires on after winter will compromise their condition and even your safety. Whether it concerns your tires or any other part of your BMW or MINI, Motorwerkes can help. Call us at (403) 768-3161 to make an appointment!

The transmission is one of the most important components of your BMW, and it’s also one of the most complex. There are many different transmission repairs and services that are either beneficial or necessary, so we’d like to cover a few questions that drivers might be prone to ask.

What’s Does Transmission Service Involve?

Different services will be required for different BMWs depending on many circumstances. Important factors include how long you’ve gone since your last service and the possible need for a repair. In general, however, it entails cleaning of the transmission oil pan, replacement of the filter and gasket, and changing of the transmission fluid. This revitalizes the system so that you can get things running as smoothly as possible again.

How Often Should Transmission Fluid Be Changed?

Figures for transmission fluid change intervals can also vary between vehicles and circumstances. Some will tell you every 30,000 miles, while others will tell you more or less than this. The most important factors to bear in mind are your driving and how well your BMW has been maintained throughout its life. If you avoid rough usage of the transmission and repeated stop-and-go shifting and driving, you’ll be able to stay within a more conventional interval.

Repair and Rebuild: What’s the Difference?

A transmission repair is usually needed if the system has incurred damage or other problems but is in relatively new and stable condition. This is the case in the majority of situations. If your BMW has been in use for many years and runs into repeated transmission problems, a rebuild might be necessary. Ask your BMW certified technician how many miles your model’s transmission should be able to last when properly cared for.

What Determines the Cost?

Some transmission repairs can be quite a bit more pricey than other services. This is because they require a considerable amount of complex disassembly, subassembly, testing, and sourcing of carefully manufactured, high-quality certified parts. The procedure is multi-layered and labour-intensive, but this ensures that you get the absolute best out of your transmission once you’re back on the road. The more skilled and experienced the technician, the less often you’ll need this kind of repair!
If it’s been awhile since your last transmission service, you might want to take your BMW to a BMW certified technician here in Calgary. Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid costly repairs, so get in touch with our team by calling (403) 768-3161 today!

Last month’s blog on the MINI looked at a few of the key reasons this marque has become one of the most beloved automobiles out there. Just like any vehicle, however, there are issues that you can anticipate and prevent through good routine maintenance. Here are some examples.

In the Engine

There many different problems that may crop up in any vehicle’s engine if you don’t maintain it adequately, but some are more particular to the MINI. For instance, some Mini Coopers utilize a variable valve timing system, which optimizes camshaft timing to make for more dynamic valve lifts, giving you better torque and fuel economy while reducing emissions. In order for this system to work, the engine oil needs to be moving as cleanly and smoothly as possible. Be sure to keep up on your oil changes so that you can prevent a compromised VVT system.

Clutch & Transmission

Oil changes aren’t the only routine maintenance you need to stay on top of. Get a recommendation from a certified Calgary MINI technician on how often you should be having your transmission serviced. If you don’t follow this interval, your MINI could end up with very preventable but quite costly transmission problems, a rattling timing belt, and other issues. Pay attention to your driving habits as well. If your MINI is a manual, for example, don’t be too hard on your clutch, unless you’re hoping for clutch failure!

The Radiator

Every vehicle needs a radiator in good shape to keep its entire system cool. This depends on a number of different parts, but two of the most important are the water pump and thermostat housing. In some MINIs, it’s not uncommon for these parts to run into problems if they’re not taken care of or replaced after the right amount of time. A thermostat housing or water pump that has been pushed past its limits will give you a coolant leak, and this can spell trouble for other many other components of the car. As always, attentive maintenance by an expert will keep even the most common problems at bay!

No car lasts forever, but it will last its longest when you seek out only the most experienced maintenance and repair specialists. Motorwerkes now extends all of its BMW services to MINI, so give the best team in Calgary a call at (403) 768-3161 so you can prevent common issues!